As we head into the final stretch of the high school football season, Montgomery County is buzzing with anticipation for the playoffs. The top teams are sharpening their claws, and each week the stakes rise higher. Here’s a look at the top 10 after another thrilling weekend of action:
1) Paint Branch (6-1*) | Last Week: 1
The Panthers continue to assert their dominance, dismantling Blake 35-7. Alijah Bah put on yet another show with 106 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, marking his fifth consecutive game with 100+ yards. RB Makai Miles chipped in with 111 yards and a touchdown as well. Paint Branch is eyeing a perfect close to the season, but with tough matchups against Blair and BCC on the horizon, they’ll need to stay sharp if they want to hold on to that top spot in the 4A North region.
2) Quince Orchard (7-0) | Last Week: 2
Business as usual for the Cougars, who obliterated Richard Montgomery 64-0. The offense was firing on all cylinders, but the real challenge awaits as they prepare for a massive rivalry clash with Northwest. Although the Jaguars have struggled recently, Northwest always seems to find a way to bring their best against QO. With the Cougars seeking to maintain their undefeated record, this is a matchup every fan will have their eyes on.
3) Northwest (6-1) | Last Week: 3
It wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win. After a 21-20 nail-biter against Churchill, the Jaguars are back in the win column. Backup QB David Davis carried the load, accounting for 178 total yards and all three of Northwest’s touchdowns. Their defense held firm in the closing moments, stopping Churchill’s 2-point conversion to secure the victory. Now, the Jags turn their attention to the Cougar Dome, where they’ll need to bring their A-game to topple Quince Orchard. Can they channel last season’s playoff magic to knock off the top dog again?
4) Sherwood (6-1) | Last Week: 4
A lopsided win over Poolesville did little to challenge the Warriors, but that tune will change quickly as Sherwood prepares for Walter Johnson in a pivotal game. The Warriors’ defense has been stout all season, and with a chance to make a statement heading into the playoffs, they’ll be looking to keep their momentum rolling. Walter Johnson will throw everything at them, but Sherwood has the firepower to stay in command.
5) Blair (6-1) | Last Week: 5
The Blazers continue to fly under the radar despite their stellar season. They edged out BCC 24-17 in a tight battle, leaning on RB Junior Rodriguez, who amassed 158 total yards and 2 touchdowns. Blair’s defense held BCC’s powerful run game to just 135 yards, a key factor in the win. Now comes the big one: Blair will face Paint Branch in a game that could decide the 4A North’s top seed. Expect fireworks as two of the county’s best collide.
6) Damascus (5-2) | Last Week: 8
The Swarmin’ Hornets have quietly regained momentum, taking down Clarksburg 28-14 in a rivalry showdown. WR Brian Goins played a big role, hauling in two touchdown passes. With another heated rivalry game against Seneca Valley looming, Damascus will look to continue its upward trend and lock down the No. 1 seed in the 2A West region. With their defense hitting its stride, Damascus looks primed for a deep playoff run.
7) Bethesda-Chevy Chase (5-2) | Last Week: 6
The Barons have hit a bit of a rough patch, losing two of their last three games. Their offense sputtered in the latest loss, as QB Danny Hahn threw for just 77 yards. Despite the struggles, BCC remains a formidable team and should get back on track against a struggling Whitman team. They’ll need to rekindle their early-season magic before closing out the year with a massive game against Paint Branch.
8) Blake (5-2) | Last Week: 7
Blake ran into a buzzsaw against Paint Branch, falling 35-7. QB Kirby Matson did his best to keep the Bengals competitive, throwing for 269 yards and a touchdown. Despite the tough loss, Blake remains in control of their playoff destiny, and a “get-right” game against winless Northwood should help them bounce back. If they can finish strong, Blake could secure the No. 2 seed in the 4A/3A classification.
9) Walter Johnson (4-3) | Last Week: 9
The Wildcats took care of business against Wheaton, winning 28-6. But the real test comes this week as they face a much tougher Sherwood team. Walter Johnson has been inconsistent at times, but they’ve shown flashes of brilliance. If they can pull off the upset, it could shake up the rankings and give them serious playoff momentum.
10) Seneca Valley (4-3) | Last Week: 10
The Screaming Eagles shutout Gaithersburg 19-0 in a rivalry win, but their schedule doesn’t get any easier as they prepare to face Damascus. Seneca Valley’s defense has been stout, and they’ll need every bit of that intensity if they want to take down the Hornets. This game could determine who holds the upper hand going into the postseason.
On the Bubble: Keep an eye on Churchill and Rockville, both teams still have a shot at making some noise down the stretch. As the playoff picture sharpens, every game carries massive weight, and the next two weeks will shape the fate of these programs.
With playoff seeding on the line, the next few matchups are as critical as they come. Buckle up for the home stretch of Montgomery County football!
